Providence, most of the evils suffered And when we look immediately to are disciplinary, or corrective-yet not the government of God, and view hi all. This rule, then, may serve as an dealings with nations and with individ infallible criterion, or note of distinc-uals in this world, is there nothing be tion between disciplinary and vindic- correcting mercy, and no vindictive tive punishment, viz.: Those evils, justice displayed in the judgment which are or may be improved by the || which he brings upon them? Wher subjects of them to their repentance, he drowned the old world with a flood reformation and spiritual benefit, are of waters, and sent the spirits of the disciplinary; they are manifestations antediluvian sinners to the prison of of the mercy, as well as of the justice hell, was this merely parental disci of God. But those judgments which pline, and designed only for their good in their very nature preclude the suf- When he destroyed the filthy Sodom ferers from reaping any benefit by ites by a storm of fire and brimstone, them, are displays of justice merely, was this in tender mercy to their souls, and in the fullest sense vindictive. and calculated to bring them to repen There are many who resolutely con- tance, and reform them of their abetend that vindictive justice, in the sense minations? When, for the punishment here explained, makes no part of God's of those ancient rebels against the character in the government he exer- Lord, Korah, Dathan and Abiram, the cises over mankind in the present state || earth opened her mouth and swallow. --but that all the evils he sends on man-ed them up, was there no vengeance kind in this world are disciplinary. One exhibited in this awful scene? And so class of Universalists, indeed, extend also in the various judgments God exthe sentiment to the future world, and|ercised upon the Israelites, whose carsay that all the sufferings of the damn-casses fell in the wilderness....in the ed in hell are disciplinary, and the extermination of the Canaanitish na chosen means, in the wisdom and mer- tions....in the destruction of Babycy of God, to bring them all, at length, lon....and in his judgments on the Jews to repentance and salvation. But, if—and innumerable other instances of this be true, there is no such thing as the kind, which appear on the pages vengeance, in God's anger against sin-both of sacred and profane history, ners; nor doth he ever take vengeance and have occurred in every age of the upon them, though he hath so often world-is there, in all these, nothing and so awfully expressed it in the but the chastening rod of fatherly dis threatenings of his word;-yea, there cipline to be recognized? If so, all is no more vengeance manifested in distinctions between the mercy and the sufferings of the damned than in the justice of God are entirely done the evils which he sends upon his own away; his promises and his threatenchildren in this world; but it is ulti-ings, his rewards and his punishments, mately in mercy to them that he sends are blended in one undistinguishable them to hell, inasmuch as he designs confusion; and nothing either from it to bring them to repentance and sal- his word or his works, can be learned vation. Is there no moral difference, by creatures of the character of the then, between the correction which a great Jehovah, as a lover of righteousparent inflicts upon an offending child, ness and hater of iniquity. But, "Veand the sentence passed by the law up-rily he is a God that judgeth righteouson a malefactor condemned to capitally in the earth,” and his judgments are punishment? Is it in tender mercy to the murderer, and designed for his good, that the justice of his country suspends him upon a gallows, and deprives him of life? If so, his execution ceases to be a punishment, and is merely a salutary correction. ever according to truth. Though he forgiveth iniquity and transgression and sin, and bestows mercy on the penitent, yet he will by no means clear the guilty. His character, as a sinhating and a sin-punishing God, is unt A formly expressed in his word, and de-ny, will establish this position, and to clared in terms the most definite, stri- the serious and attentive reader, will king and impressive, which human need no exposition nor comment.— language can furnish, or the human" To me belongeth vengeance and remind conceive. It is the very ex-compense: Their foot shall slide in pression of his law, confirmed by the due time; for the day of their calamexecution of his threatenings, and by ity is at hand, and the things that shall sensible fruits in his government, dis- come upon them make haste. For, I played in colors brighter than sun-lift up my hand to heaven and say, I beams. His displeasure against the live forever; if I whet my glittering wicked is real, and as great as he de-sword, and my hand take hold on judgclares. His threatenings are not de-ment, I will render vengeance to mine signed merely to excite the fears, and enemies, and will reward them that awe the feelings of his creatures, by hate me." Deut. xxxii. 35, 40. &c. expressing an anger which he does not" O Lord God, to whom vengeance feel, and holding forth a punishment belongeth, O God, to whom vengeance which he never designs to inuict. He belongeth, shew thyself: lift up thyis a God of truth. His threatenings are self, thou judge of the earth, render a as sure and unfailing as his promises. reward to the proud." Psalm xciv. 1. He will maintain the honor of his law" Flee out of the midst of Babylon, by taking vengeance on his enemies; and deliver every man his soul; be not and his character, as a God of vindic-cut off in her iniquity; for this is the Live justice, shines with a glory no less time of the Lord's vengeance, he will amiable than it is awful. "I will take render unto her a recompense. Make vengeance, and I will not meet thee bright the arrows; gather the shields. as a man," is a solemn threatening, The Lord hath raised up the spirit of which the mouth of the Lord hath spo- the kings of the Medes, for his device ken. Neither is this an insulated, or is against Babylon, to destroy it; besolitary example, in which, by the cause it is the vengeance of the Lord, comparison of counteracting Scrip- the vengeance of his temple." Jerem. tures, the phraseology may be ex- li, 6-11. "And I will lay my venplained, and softened down to a mean-geance upon Edom by the hand of my ing less awful and terrific. It stands people Israel, and they shall do in Esupported and confirmed by the whole dom according to mine anger and accurrent of scripture testimony, and ap-cording to my fury, and they shall pears the uniform sense in which the know my vengeance, saith the Lord word is used throughout the sacred God." Ezekiel xxv. 14. volume. The vengeance of God expresses his vindictive justice; and his taking vengeance is his eternally in-nor who are the subjects of his awful flicting condign punishment upon the threatenings. Wicked, impenitent and guilty. It is not, in a single instance, incorrigible sinners are the objects of used to describe the corrections he God's vindictive justice. The evils he sends upon his children in covenant sends upon them, are the fruits of venfaithfulness and fatherly chastisement, geance, and not of mercy. They are nor any of those evils which in his not designed to reclaim, but utterly to providence he brings upon his crea-destroy them. His threatenings retures, where the subjects of them can or may or do improve them to their reformation and spiritual benefit—but vengeance is judgment without mercy, and enforces the whole penalty of the law, to the utter destruction of the sinner. A few passages out of the ma Surely we cannot now mistake what is meant by God's taking vengeance, spect not merely the present, but the future world. They reach to eternity. Their sufferings here are but as a sip of the cup of trembling-the beginning of sorrows; a few scattering drops before the impending and eternal storm of divine wrath: For the fire which is not peculiar to yourself. Others (a some indeed whom I consider the excellent of the earth), have acted kindled in God's anger, shall not only consume the earth, with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains, but it shall burn to the low-der the influence of the same scruple But I am not able to justify the om sion of an important duty, because d ficulties present themselves in the way But you will ask, what shall I do Shall I encourage vice and infidelity by supporting men who are obvious of that character? This, Sir, is the question; and it should never be de cided by Professing Christians, but a deliberate consideration. Believe me, sir, we are not at liber ty to act at random, like other men We should always be able to give rational account why we act, and why we act as we do. We are frequently as criminal for not knowing our duty, as for neglecting to perform it whent is apparent. est hell. The almighty power of God makes him a most formidable enemy. The threatening of national calamities implies a threatening of eternal punishment to all the workers of iniquity, all the incorrigibly impenitent. Those are awful words indeed, I will not meet thee as a man. They imply God's immediate agency. By the instrumentality of men, he had punished and destroyed the Babylonians as a nation;|| but this awful desolation speaks a language of further extent. It implies that God would take them into his own hand, and be the immediate executioner of his own vengeance. I will not meet thee as a man from whom thou mightest flee and escape...whose power thou mightest resist, or evade his justice, or move his compassion to spare thee. See what a fearful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Impenitent reader, bring this subject home, and apply it faithfully || to thy conscience. Let it be deeply impressed upon thy mind, and strive to realize thine own relation to, and infinite interest in a judgment day and a world of eternal retribution. O ye careless and secure, awake to a sense of your character, and the awful dan-told, as a threat, we must vote for these ger of your situation. Flee for refuge or lose our votes-while men of mod to lay hold on the hope set before you eration and virtue cannot, without a in the Gospel: And while the wicked dereliction of those principles, which tremble to meet God as their judge, are with them the spring of action, belet his people rejoice in him as their come the favorite candidates of either Redeemer, whose perfections are all political party. Hence, sir, bave we engaged for their happiness and eter-not to legislate for us, men of daring nal glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. LEVI. (To be continued.) MADISON COUNTY MORAL SOCIETY. Permit me, sir, to make a few re marks on this subject, as it has presented itself to my mind. Has not the virulence of party spirit bustled into view and into office, in each political party, men totally unfit for promotion! And have not these been palmed upon us, by their respective favorites, a patriots, in whom is no blemish!whose preeminent services alone could save our country from immediate ruin And if we demur, have we not been enterprise, of unbounded ambition, of corrupt principles, and of vicious live -men whose own interest is always paramount to the public good; and while they pursue that with supreme avidity, do they not virtually call into their aid the abominable doctrine, that Copy of a letter from a member of the Presbyterian church in Lenox, to a member of the Baptist church in Pe-"The end sanctifies the means"-their terboro. DEAR SIR, The scruples which you observe have barred you from the Poll, are consciences become shielded against remorse-Thus do they not coolly trample on the liberties of the people, and call down the judgments of an in censed God on our devoted country ?more consonant to the christian chaUnderstand me, sir, I speak in general racter, more conducive to the public terms. I am ready to acknowledge, good, more beneficial to posterity, and as I do firmly believe, there are ex- more acceptable to God? But while ceptions: there are doubtless men of this remains undefined, we tread with honor and honesty elected from both hesitating steps, and are in danger of political parties, wandering in the devious mazes of That our country is in a critical sit-|| error. uation, will not be denied: that our Could professing christians, of difnational and individual sins are the ferent denominations, decide on the cause, will not be doubted: but that stand they ought to take, and act in the weakness and wickedness of men concert, more might be done than we in office have contributed their full should readily apprehend. Should share to the production of this state they boldly and publicly refuse to of things, is too plain to need discus-vote for immoral and vicious men, sion. Now, sir, admit these facts, two because they are such; should they inquiries present themselves for our declare that they must have their own consideration. First-Is our country candidates, if such men are brought in a hopeless situation? and if not, Se-forward, the effect soon would be apcondly-What is the duty of profess-parent. But there must be union or ing christians at a period so eventful, nothing can be effected. so portentous and so alarming? As to Is it not a melancholy fact, that the first inquiry, we need only recur most of the offices in the gift of the to the history of our country, from its Council of Appointment are bestowed first settlement to the present day...to on men altogether unfit in point of recount the matchless mercies, the moral qualifications? How often do marvellous deliverances, and the gra- we see them bestowed on men intemcious protection and preservation of perate, profane,sabbath-breakers, gamthis people, to inspire a confident hope blers, debauchees, and infidels in printhat God has good things yet in store ciple and in practice; and who, by for us. But, sir, the second is of their practice, trample under foot those more difficult solution. Can it be laws which they are sworn to execute. the duty of christians to fan the flames But is this evil chargeable exclusively of party rage and fury, already become on the Council? I think not: they are uncontrollable? Shall they raise a fac-misinformed; and what have christion, when our country is rent by fac- tians done to enlighten them? Have tions to its centre? Shall they lay in they recommended suitable charactheir claims to office and emolument, ters? or have they remonstrated aand enter the list with other competi-gainst improper ones? They have in tors for these petty things? Where is deed felt and lamented the evil, but the humble believer who would choose have not asserted their rights as freeto encumber himself with the affairs men to prevent or correct it. of state, and thus effectually clip the wings of devotion? Or ought they to sit down in supineness and exclaim, "Our kingdom is not of this world! We have neither part nor lot in this matter! If we may have good rulers, we will rejoice; but if bad ones, we will pray for them: if our civil and re-RODGER MADDOCK, was chosen Moderaligious liberties may descend to our children, we shall be thankful; if not, we shall acquiesce." Is there not, sir, a middle path between these extremes, My impressions are, that the subject is important, and calls for immediate attention. I hope some more able and more influential hand will do it justice. At a meeting held in Peterboro, on Thurs day evening, 2d February, 1815, compo sed of members of different churches and denominations in the vicinity, tor, and AMOS GILBERT, Clerk. The foregoing letter was read, and the following Resolutions were adopted: 1st. That the sentiments contained therein are such as have for a long|| time seriously exercised and burdened our minds. 2d. That we consider, when the wicked bear rule the people mourn, and that to remedy this we will endeavor to choose those for our rulers who are just, and will rule in the fear of God. Wright Brigham, Esq. Secretary. Rodger Maddock, William M'Ch nathan, Luther Doolittle, Esq. and Chauncey Gaston, Standing Commi tee. Resolved, That it be and is hereby recommended to the seriously dispo sed inhabitants of the several towns it this county, to form auxiliary societies in their respective towns, for the pur pose of suppressing vice and immoral ity, and aiding this society in promo ting the objects of their association; and until such societies are so formed, that the following gentlemen be a com they are hereby requested to corres pond directly with the Secretary of this Society. 3d. That we think we are under immediate obligation to be active, and therefore recommend the above letter to the serious consideration of the churches and societies of all denominations, in their collective capacity, and to all others who regard the honor of God and the good of their country.mittee for their several towns, and 4th. That it be recommended to them to appoint Delegates to a Convention of the county, to be held at Capt. Bicknell's Inn, at Morris' Flatts, or in that vicinity, on Wednesday, the 1st day of March next, at 10 o'clock A. M. to take into consideration the subject of the above letter...and also to do other business calculated to pro-lisha Carrington. mote the contemplated object which this communication presents. RODGER MADDOCK, Moderator, AMOS GILBERT, Clerk. At a meeting of delegates from the towns AROSWELL LAMB, was chosen Sullivan, Ebenezer Caulking, Heze kiah Beecher, Reuben Bushnel. Lenox, Justin Hall, Martin Vrooman, Isaac G. Northaway. Smithfield, Nehemiah Bachelor, E Eaton, David Gaston, Benjamin Co: man. NOAH W.CHILDS, Secretary. Resolved, That we form ourselves into a Moral Society, to be known and distinguished by the name of the Ma-Beebe. dison County Moral Society: and that Edward Lewis, Esq. Noah W. Childs, and Rodger Maddock be a committee to draft articles of a constitution for this society. The committee having reported a constitution, which being read and duly considered, was unanimously adopted; and the following persons chosen officers for the ensuing year: Aroswell Lamb, President. Edward Lewis, Esq. V. Pres. Resolved, (as the sense of this society) That party spirit ought to be entirely laid aside, and that all moral and religious people ought to unite to discountenance the appointment of immoral men to places of power or trust. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published, with a suitable Address by the standing committee of this society, to the inhabitants of this county. |